The Atlanta Hawks are entertaining trade offers around the league for forward Josh Smith, but have yet to decide whether they will deal the ninth-year forward, according to league sources.
The Hawks met with Smith's representatives this week, at which point the team offered Smith a three-year extension for the maximum of what it can currently offer under the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, according to sources.
Smith turned down the offer however, saying he preferred to play out his existing contract and get a longer deal this summer.
Initially, it was believed that the Hawks had indicated they would not give Smith the five-year max contract he can receive this summer. But sources indicated Friday afternoon that the two sides not have any discussions about the full five-year deal.
Smith, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution late last month that he believes he's a max player, which would mean he'd be in line for a five-year deal worth around $93.5 million from Atlanta.
But the Hawks, which expect to be major players next summer in free agency or through trades, do not want to tie up that kind of money going forward.
Smith, according to a source, is prepared to move on, outside of the contract discussions.